Two abstracts on hair loss links a bunch of ideas

[HairLossFight.com]

Here are two interesting abstracts, one for an article from 2002 that talks about what is (basically) currently known about hair loss, and another for an article from 1998 which talks about a storage medium for transplant grafts. A couple of topics we've been talking about in this forum are brought up in these article, namely:

1) Inflammation and its potential role in hair loss
2) Adenosine

Although the articles don't talk about Adenosine directly, one of them mentions that minoxidil is an adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener... The other article mentions adenosine-triphosphate as useful in increasing the survival rate for micrograft follicles for hair transplants. I'm going to have to find out whether adenosine can be derived from adenosine-triphosphate. If so, perhaps adenosine in conjunction with minoxidil would complement each other very well.

Also, I am thinking more and more that addressing inflammation is as important as addressing DHT when it comes to treating hair loss.

Read these, and check out the highlighted parts of the abstracts in particular...

---Abstract from 2002---
Molecular mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia

Ralph M. TrebCorresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Gloriastr. 31, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland

Received 10 June 2002; revised 17 June 2002; accepted 18 June 2002. Available online 16 July 2002.


Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is hereditary and androgen-dependent, progressive thinning of the scalp hair that follows a defined pattern. While the genetic involvement is pronounced but poorly understood, major advances have been achieved in understanding principal elements of the androgen metabolism involved: androgen-dependent processes are predominantly due to the binding of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to the androgen receptor (AR). DHT-dependent cell functions depend on the availability of weak androgens, their conversion to more potent androgens via the action of 5alpha-reductase, low enzymatic activity of androgen inactivating enzymes, and functionally active AR present in high numbers. The predisposed scalp exhibits high levels of DHT, and increased expression of the AR. Conversion of testosterone to DHT within the dermal papilla plays a central role, while androgen-regulated factors deriving from dermal papilla cells are believed to influence growth of other components of the hair follicle. Current available treatment modalities with proven efficacy are oral finasteride, a competitive inhibitor of type 2 5alpha-reductase, and topical minoxidil, an adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener which has been reported to stimulate the production of vascular endothelial growth factor in cultured dermal papilla cells. Since the clinical success rate of treatment of AGA with modulators of androgen metabolism or hair growth promoters is limited, sustained microscopic follicular inflammation with connective tissue remodeling, eventually resulting in permanent hair loss, is considered a possible cofactor in the complex etiology of AGA.

---Abstract from 1998---
Power boosting the grafts in hair transplantation surgery. Evaluation of a new storage medium.

Raposio E, Cella A, Panarese P, Nordstrom RE, Santi P.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Genova, Italy.

BACKGROUND: When performing hair transplantation procedures, it is of the foremost importance to try to obtain the maximum survival rate possible of transplanted micrografts. OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to evaluate, in an in vitro model, the effects of preserving micrografts, for five hours, in an enriched storage medium in order to enhance the survival rate of hair micrografts. METHODS: A total of 200 human anagen hair follicles was obtained from ten male patients. Follicles were thus randomly assigned to one of the following group: Group A (control; n = 100 follicles), preserved for five hours in saline, and Group B (experimental; n = 100 follicles), preserved for five hours in a storage medium, containing adenosine triphosphate-magnesium chloride and deferoxamine mesylate. Isolated hair follicles from both Groups were then cultured for 10 days. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the survival rate of experimental (98%) and control follicles (87%). CONCLUSION: In our opinion, a "metabolic preconditioning" of micrografts by means of storing them for 5 hours in the described medium may be of some utility in augmenting the survival rate of hair grafts when performing hair transplantation surgery.

[Tricia]

Hmmm, very interesting